Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Eurostar link plan for station
Wednesday 27th February 2008, 3:59PM GMT.
A Eurostar link could be built in Birmingham, creating a direct service to Paris and other major European cities, it was announced this afternoon.
The introduction of high-speed rail links will open up routes from the Midlands to Paris, Lille, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Brussels and city council bosses say it cannot happen soon enough.
The bid was unveiled at the launch of the Big City Plan, an area action plan which outlines 10 Big Ideas set to transform the city.
Business and development bosses say Birmingham International already has the brand, the National Exhibition Centre and the access to the wider road, rail and air network to make the Eurostar plans work.
A statement from the city council said: “We believe Birmingham should actively promote the development of the high speed rail network to Birmingham International at the very least.
“Eurostar services from this point will put many of the key European cities within a five-hour journey from Birmingham.”
Around 200 business leaders gathered to hear how they could shape the future of the city for the next 20 years.
It is predicted that the city centre will see a massive £11 billion worth of investment over the next two decades.
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“10 big ideas”, “could”, “could”, “could” …. that’s all we ever hear about developing Birmingham. Tied up in Red tape, beaurocracy, too many chiefs, out of touch councillors, self-important self publicists – that gets very little ACTUALLY done in the city. 2nd City???? – how long did it take to even get a landmark shopping area? Where is the much ‘talked about’ Olympic size pool? New Street Station redevelopment is already looking like becoming the farce that it’s destined to be.
When will “Could, Could, Could” become “Will, Will, Will”???
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If these move proposals move at the same glacial pace as both the Channel Tunnel link and Midland Metro Line 2 then we might get to ride on it some time in 2028.
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Birmingham is never really the first thought on any innovators list these days – more like an after thought. Perhaps they see Manchester as a greater contender these days !!!
Sad really because Brum used to be known as the town of a 1000 trades !!!
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Wrong end of the connurbation. A high speed link by-passing Brum is what is really needed…. for Brum’s sake as much as everyone else’s!
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THE PLANS I HAVE SEEN FOR HS2 PUT THE MAINLINE THROUGH BIRMINHAM INTERNATIONAL / AIRPORT.WITH A
SPUR OR SHUTTLE TO NEW STREET. THERE IS ALSO A LINE PROJECTED TO CONNECT HEATHROW WITH IT .
THE HS2 GOES INTO ST PANCRAS.
AT PRESENT A PARIS-BIRMINGHAM TICKET IS TOO EXPRENSIVE BECAUSE IT IS ROUTED VIA VIRGIN EUSTON /
NEW STREET.
IT IS FAR CHEAPER TO DO PARIS / ST PANCRAS PUT UP WITH THE UHOPELESS UNDERGROUND CONNECTION(CROWDS
AT KINGS CROSS AND EXTREMELY COMPLICATED CONNECTION AT BAKER STREET-USELESS FOR LUGGAGE ,OLD OR
DISABLED PEOPLE NOT TO MENTION CLOSURES FOR REPAIRS ALWAYS AT THE STRATEGIC MOMENT)AND THEN WORK IT OUT TO GET THE CHEAP £ 18 TO ANYWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS FROM
MARYLEBONE.
IT IS ALSO VERY UNFAIR THAT YOU CAN GET DECENT LOWCOST AIRFARES FROM BIRMINGHAM TO PARIS AND THE OTHER WAY ROUND THEY ARE PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET.
ALSO BE VERY AWARE THAT THE FIRST OFFER PRICES ON EUROSTAR ARE PRACTICALLY ALSO IMPOSSIBLE TO OBTAIN.
YOU CAN HAVE VERY NASTY SURPRISES ESPECIALLY IF YOU GO LATE.THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TOURIST
AGENT BOOKINGS AND THE SEATS GO VERY,VERY FAST.A NOT CHEAP PRICE IS VERY,VERY EXPENSIVE INDEED.
I DO THIS TRIP SO OFTEN I CAN ALMOST GO WITH MY EYES CLOSED…..
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